Summary

Lipchitz is the most significant Cubist sculptor of the twentieth century. He embraced the movement's language and consistently translated its ideologies into sculptural forms. Presented here is a thorough analysis of the sculptor's career accompanied by previously unseen archival photographs.

Library Journal Review

Putze (Victoria & Albert Museum) presents a substantial, detailed, yet accessible overview of the career of Jacques Lipchitz (1891-1973). Born in Russia, the Jewish sculptor emigrated to Paris in 1909, where he established his fame, taking Cubism into three dimensions. After escaping to the United States in 1941, the continued his successful career, with public commissions and, after the war, worldwide recognition. For so small a book the text is substantial and thoughtful, its arguments closely linked to the well-chosen illustrations. Although about a third of the book is devoted to a gift of 40 sculptures to London's Courtauld Gallery in 2002, Ptz writes with great empathy and clarity, and her book can serve as a first-rate introduction and overview of Lipchitz's work and his place in 20th-century sculpture. With 80 color images as well as archival photographs, this volume is highly recommended for all audiences. Jack Perry Brown, Art Inst. of Chicago Lib. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Choice Review

Though many publications are available on Lipchitz (1891-1973), many are highly specialized and expensive. The need for a reasonably priced, relatively short, yet high-quality survey has been met by Putz, who has published widely on the sculptor. Considered the most important Cubist sculptor, more so than artists such as Raymond Duchamp-Villon, Josef Csaky, and Henri Laurens (who explored Cubist ideas in their sculptures for a time), Lipchitz and his work are very approachable, as demonstrated in this excellent publication. Arriving in Paris in 1909, the Jewish artist encountered antisemitism yet established himself as one of the city's most important avant-garde artists. He had a particularly fecund relationship with Picasso. Moving to the US in 1941 to avoid the Nazi threat, Lipchitz was able to take only a few of his maquettes with him yet he rebuilt his career, becoming recognized as the great master of Cubist sculpture. Putz provides five interesting chapters: "Jacques Lipchitz: The First Cubist Sculptor," "The Optimistic Cubist," "The Promethean Paradox," "The Lipchitz Gift to the Courtauld Gallery 2002," and "Letters from Lipchitz's Studio." Complementary material includes 92 excellent black-and-white images, a detailed chronology, a good bibliography, and photographic credits. Recommended for all collections of modern art. General readers; lower-division undergraduates through faculty. J. Weidman Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

SD_ILS:1242450

9780853318606

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